40; Associate Professor of Teaching, Department of History, at the University of Memphis
I <3 RUNNING: Above all, I value the relationships forged over 25 years of running — the mentoring I’ve received and the friendships gained in the process. You learn a lot about yourself and other people along the way.
BUCKET LIST: For my kids to lead healthy, ambitious lives and to find a sport or physical activity they love as much as I’ve loved distance running.
UP NEXT: Some of the MRTC Road Race Series, Cooper-Young Four Miler, and the Houston Marathon in 2026.
FAV FITNESS ACCOMPLISHMENT: In 2007, I earned All-SEC honors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase with a third-place finish at the SEC Outdoor Championships while competing for the University of Arkansas. I left that season feeling heartbroken after a bad fall at NCAA Regionals, where I finished sixth. It’s hard to have perspective in the moment, and when you’re surrounded by incredibly accomplished athletes, but with time, I’ve learned to appreciate it.
HOMETOWN: Memphis, TN
SPEED BUMPS: I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2009. My mother, who also has RA, encouraged me to visit the rheumatologist, Dr. David Boatright, and that decision was pivotal. The diagnosis fundamentally recalibrated my relationship with running. I approach the sport with more gratitude and enthusiasm now.
MY GROUP: Breakaway Race Team
MOST MEMORABLE FITNESS EVENT: St. Jude Memphis Marathon® Weekend. In 2022, I surprised myself and won the women’s race. With an eighteen-month-old daughter and a four-year-old, getting to the starting line was a collective effort. I loved seeing my kids, husband, father, and friends along the course and down the homestretch.
BEST EATS: Garibaldi’s Pizza on Walker Ave. My kids love it, too.
DREAM DINNER COMPANY: Eudora Welty. Her short stories and novels weave their way into you.
GO-TO GEAR: Apple’s iPod Shuffle for its light weight and simplicity.
ON MY NIGHTSTAND: “Half-Life of a Secret: Reckoning with a Hidden History” by Emily Strasser. I love any book that students find meaningful; they love this one.
PET PEEVE: Inadequate fueling and hydration! I’m a carb-loading enthusiast.
BINGE-WATCHING: “The Bear”
INSPIRATION TO BE FIT: I enjoy the challenge of setting goals and pursuing them. You never know how it will go. There’s something inherently interesting about the unknown.
Photo by Tindall Stephens
